Rayna (Connie Britton) and Deacon (Charles Esten) rekindle an old flame as 'Nashville' heads to its Season 1 finale on Wednesday, May 22, on ABC. / Katherine Bomboy-Thornton/ABC

Detroit Free Press staff writer

Meet Charles Esten, overnight sensation at 47. The handsome American actor had early success on the London stage as the lead in a musical about Buddy Holly. He then forged on to a lengthy career of guest arcs on TV series like HBO’s “Enlightened” and “Big Love” and NBC’s “The Office.” Thanks to ABC’s “Nashville,” Esten finally has emerged as a heartthrob. On the country music-themed critical darling, he’s Deacon Claybourne, the longtime professional collaborator with Connie Britton’s Rayna Jaymes who’s known for his brooding yearning for his old flame. What will happen to the star-crossed couple now that they’ve reignited their passion big-time? And what about the big issue that Rayna’s daughter confronts him with in the preview? And could his addiction demons come back to haunt him? Like a country song, there’s bound to be trouble, snappy tunes and tight faded blue jeans ahead in the season finale at 10 p.m. Wednesday, May 22.